Prospects have once again increased for the Central Government to convene a special session of Parliament late this month to reintroduce major constitutional amendments related to women's reservation and the delimitation of electoral constituencies. Top Lok Sabha sources indicated on Thursday that the possibility of such a session cannot be ruled out. The proposed session will be a fresh attempt by the government to pass a controversial legislative package through Parliament. Earlier, during the budget session, the government's effort suffered a setback when the bills failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. According to government sources, the ruling party is now working to consolidate support and is reaching out to regional parties and smaller opposition groups to ensure the passage of the constitutional amendments this time. The proposed legislation is expected to have far-reaching political implications, as it involves two sensitive issues: the implementation of reservation for women in legislative bodies and the delimitation of electoral constituencies. Under the current constitutional framework, the implementation of reserving one-third of the seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies is linked to the upcoming census and the subsequent delimitation exercise. Any change in this framework is likely to reignite the debate over the timeline for implementing women's reservation, the new delimitation of electoral constituencies, and the distribution of parliamentary representation among states. Sources said the government is contacting opposition parties, including the DMK, to secure the required numbers and support for the constitutional amendments. These contacts indicate that the ruling party wants to avoid another legislative failure and ensure it has the necessary support before making a formal announcement regarding the special session.

The current state of parliamentary proceedings has also heightened speculation about the timing of the proposed session. The monsoon session of Parliament has been adjourned sine die, but it has not been prorogued formally. Therefore, after completing the necessary procedural formalities, the possibility of convening another sitting of the current session remains. Government sources have indicated that if a decision is taken, Members of Parliament could be notified about a week in advance.

Although holding the session around the upcoming festivals was discussed earlier, fresh indications suggest that holding a short session on the occasion of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is being considered. However, no official announcement has been made yet, and the legislative agenda along with the dates await final approval from the government. This proposed step comes amid growing tensions between the government and the opposition over the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission, particularly Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties have intensified their campaign regarding electoral transparency and the integrity of the voting process, escalating political tensions ahead of upcoming crucial electoral battles.

Against this backdrop, the government's efforts to mobilize support for the constitutional amendments may face demands for broader consultations and detailed deliberation in Parliament. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju recently wrote to Congress leaders appealing for constructive cooperation, while Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded an all-party meeting to discuss the proposed legislation and ensure proper debate before the formal announcement of a special session. The center of the opposition's concerns will be the constitutional and political consequences of delimitation, especially the distribution of parliamentary seats among states and the safeguards necessary to maintain federal balance. Southern states have expressed concern that a redistribution of seats based on population could reduce their relative representation in Parliament, despite their progress in controlling population growth.

Therefore, the government will not only have to address the challenge of securing the required majority in Parliament, but also respond to broader concerns regarding federal equity and political representation.

Under Article 368 of the Constitution, the passage of constitutional amendment bills generally requires a majority of the total membership of each House of Parliament and a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. Certain amendments also require ratification by at least half of the state assemblies. However, the exact requirements will depend on the provisions of the proposed bills. Given the government's previous difficulties in securing the required support, the backing of regional parties could prove decisive.

For the government, a special session will be an opportunity to push its legislative agenda forward once again and demonstrate that it can overcome past setbacks through political negotiations.

On the other hand, for the opposition, it will be another test of how much consensus it can build among different parties regarding legislation that, along with constitutional reforms, is likely to have a significant impact on electoral politics. Currently, the government has refrained from making an official announcement. However, with top Lok Sabha sources not ruling out the possibility of a special session and alleged efforts to secure the support of regional parties, the prospect of convening a session in October has once again become the focus of political attention. Now, the key questions are whether the government will officially call a special session, whether it will be able to secure the required majority, and whether the opposition will be given adequate time to review and debate the proposed constitutional changes before voting in Parliament.